Presents a theoretical approach with some practical strategies for resolving marital and family conflicts. The steps are: owning one's position, understanding the other person's position, and resolving the conflict. The method serves as a model resulting in the development of more effective communicators and communication patterns. (Author/BEF)

Suggests goal development as an effective way to set the stage for change with couples in groups. It helps to clarify issues, opens channels of communication, change behaviors in desired directions, and evaluate that change. Spouses, group members, and counselors can benefit from goal-setting. (Author/BEF)

This guide is intended to familiarize therapists with the scope of marital difficulties and the range of techniques found useful in dealing with them. While it is tempting to think that proven techniques can be matched to specific marital problems, the literature cautions that predicting outcome in therapy research depends not only on the…